| well Kodama is an experienced koi dealer for sure. In Japan, when I first met him, he was considered a 'consultant to hobbyists' wanting an 'on the ground pair of eyes' at the breeder's facilities. He is gifted no doubt- but not an active koi judge. I suspect he has only judged in the All Japan? More or less, a trade show.
Someone mentioned that there is not exact order- that is definitely true. Showa and sanke MUST 'bring it' all at one time which is very difficult- but kohaku stands naked before the judges with just red and white - so it must be near perfect to excel. All have levels that must reach so they are on equal footing.
I mentioned this in another post but once again my poor writing style ,as noted by Mickey, must have failed to make the point- gosanke have attributes that other varieties simply do not have. Most of the other varieties can, at best, be very clean specimens. But highly evolved gosanke skin is unique to that intensely addressed/bred group. The nature of their dermis is unique- so their color is deep and three dimensional. Only 'related' varieties can share in these traits- ai goromo, modern goshiki, shiro utsuri etc. can even begin to bring the same attributes to a show.
I'm an old style judge, trained the ZNA way of looking at koi, so I have a problem with the trend towards 'populist' judging. Judging is not a matter of personal opinion based on 'to date' personal experience. It is a body of knowledge taught by the masters for the last 50 years. It is a continuum---- |